Blank-cutting machine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

T. F. TYLER. BLANK CUTTING MACHINE.

Patented Feb. 2l, T893.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2f A T. F. TYLER. BLANK CUTTING MACHINE. No. 492,342. Patentedpeb. 21, 1893.

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BLANK-CUTTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 492,342, dated February 21, 1893.

Application iiled May 23, 1892. Serial No. 434,057. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, '[HADDEUS FRANK TY- LER, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Blank-Cutting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for cutting out flat blanks from sheets of material such as leather board, leather, or other material, by means of a suitable punching die and bed die.

The invention has for its object to provide improved means for storing or acccumulating the blanks as fast as they are cut, and for conveniently removing the blanks from the machine.

The invention also has for its object to provide means for counting the number of blanks accumulated, and for giving a signal upon the accumulation of a given number of blanks.

To these ends the invention consists in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecication: Figure l represents a front elevation of a portion of a blank-cutting machine provided with my improvements, a part of the machine being broken away. Fig. 2 representsasection on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents an enlarged side elevation of the upper portion of the blank receptacle, and the movable follower therein, a portion of the receptacle being broken away. Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 represents a top view of the parts shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 6 represents a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. l.

The same letters of reference indicate the parts in all the figures.

In `the drawings: a represents the tixed die, which co-operates with a movable punching die a3 (Fig. 2) in cutting blanks from a sheet of material, the fixed die u having an aperture a of the form of the blanks to be cut, while the movable or punching die 0.3 is formed to accurately lit and enter said orifice and cooperate with the walls thereof in punching out a blank from asheet of material laid upon the upper surface of the fixed die. Means are provided for reciprocating the movable die, as usual in machines of this class.

My invention has nothing to do With the construction of the machine, so far as the dies and the means for operating the movable die are concerned. I do not, therefore, show the mechanism for operating the movable die as.

In carrying out my invention, I provide the blank-receptacle b, which is an elongated tube, preferably of sheet metal, having an opening h at one side, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The form of the receptacle b in cross section is such as to correspond to the form of the blanks c, which are produced by the machine. (In the present instance, the blanks c are intended for caps or tips for childrens shoes.) The receptacle b is detachably se' cured to the machine, preferably by means of a spring CZ, engaged at one end with the supporting-frame of the machine, and detachably connected at the other end with a hook d or other suitable device, affixed to the lower portion of the receptacle b, the arrangement being such that, when the upper end of the receptacle is placed against the bottom of the fixed die a and the lower end of ythe spring is engaged with the hook d', the stress of the spring will press the upper end of the receptacle against the fixed die with sufficient firmness to hold the receptacle in place.

I prefer to form a seat or cavity 0.2 in the under side of the fixed die o. for the reception of the upper end of the receptacle b, said seat preventing the lateral displacement of the upper end of the receptacle and causing the interior of the receptacle to coincide with the orifice a of the die.

e represents a plate or follower, which is supported by a rod e', affixed to a sliding cross-head or carrier e2, which is movable on vertical guide-rods e3 e3. The follower e is shaped to t the interior of the receptacle, and is adapted to slide loosely therein and support the blanks c that are forced into the receptacle by the action of the movable die a3. The rod e is bent or offset near its upper end, as shown in Figs. l, 3 and 4t, its bent portion passing through the side opening b in the receptacle b. The carrier e2 is counterbalanced by a weight e4, aflixed to a cord or strap e5, which is attached to the carrier e3 IOO and passes over guide-pulleys e6 e6, said weight being adapted to support the carrier e2, the rod c and the follower c at any point to which they may be moved.

It will be seen that, as each blank is formed, it will be forced into the orifice ct of the fixed die, and from thence into the receptacle'b. As fast as the blanks are forced downwardly into the receptacle, the follower c retreats, said follower being caused to support the column of blanks in the receptacle and prevent them from falling loosely in the receptacle. The accumulation of blanks in the receptacle forces the carrier c2 downwardly, and thus causes a pointer ci, affixed to said carrier, to co-operate with a graduated rod or bar es, affixed to the machine,in indicating the number of blanks that have been inserted in the receptacle.

f represents a gong, the hammer of which is connected by a cord or chain f to the weighted end of a lever f2, which is pivoted at f3 to a fixed support, and has ya pivoted toe-piece f4, arranged to come in contact with an arm or projection f5 on the carrier e2, when the latter is descending. The contact of the arm f5 with the toe-piece f4 first raises the weighted end of the lever f2, and then releases said lever, causing its weight to exert a sufficient downward pull on the chain f to strike the gong. The toe-piece f4 is so connected with the lever f2 that it will not yield independently to downward pressure, but is vvirtually a part of the lever f2 when it is being pressed downwardly. Hence the arm f5, in moving downwardly, acts upon the toepiece in the manner described. After said varm has passed below the toe-piece, and when it is being moved upwardly and strikes the under side of the toepiece, the latter swings upward independently, far enough to permit the arm f5 to pass by it without moving` the lever f2.

The gongfand the described devices for ringing the same, constitute a signal, which gives notice when the receptacle b has been filled with blanks, the lever fzbeing arranged to be operated, as described, when the follower e reaches the lower portion of the receptacle h. The operator is therefore warned to stop the machine. The receptacle, filled with blanks, may now be removed from the machine by detaching the spring d from the receptacle. The accumulation of blanks in the receptacle may be disposed of in any desired way, such as by forcing them out of the receptacle into boxes designed to hold them, for storage or shipment, or the receptacle may be placed in another machine, organized to mold or shape the blanks, in which case the blanks will be fed one at a time from the lower end of the receptacle to the forming devices, by any suitable means.

I prefer to provide two or more receptacles b for each machine, so that, while the charge of blanks is being removed from one receptacle, another can be in place in the machine, receiving another charge.

The graduated plate or rod es should be graduatedin accordance with the thickness of the blanks, so that each graduation or space will correspond to the thickness of one blank. I prefer to make said plate or rod removable, so that I may use differently graduated plates or rods according to the thickness of the material which is being cut. To this end, the upper end of the rod or plate e8 may be inserted loosely in the socket c, affixed to the supporting-frame, its lower end being held by a latch c10 in a socket on the iioor or base on which the machine rests.

I do not limit myself in all cases to the employment of a follower, as the receptacle may be made of such size internally as to prevent the blanks from falling loosely in it. Hence, when the counting of the blanks orthe giving of a signal is not an object, the follower may be dispensed with; or the follower may be supported in the receptacle by frictional contact with the interior surface thereof, instead ot' by a counterbalancing weight.

I claiml. The combination with a fixed die and a movable die, of a blank receptacle coinciding with the fixed die, and means for detachably connecting said receptacle with the fixed die, said means consisting of a seat to receive the upper end of the receptacle, and a yielding support for its lower end as set forth.

2. The combination with fixed die and a movable die of a blank receptacle having au opening in one side and coinciding with the fixed die and detachably connected therewith, afollower movable in said receptacle, said follower being supported on a rod havinga bent portion extending through said opening, and a yielding support for said rod as set forth.

3. The combination with a fixed die and a movable die of a blank receptacle coinciding with the fixed die, a follower movablein said receptacle, a pointer movable with said follower, and a removable graduated plate cooperating with said pointer, as set forth.

4. The combination of a fixed die and a movable die, of a blank receptacle coinciding with the fixed die, a follower movable in said receptacle, and a signal operated by said follower, said signal having a iiexible connection with one end of a lever, the other end of which has a pivoted toe-piece located in the path of movement of a projection from the follower, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 21st day of May, A. D. 1892.

TIIADDEUS F. TYLER. Witnesses:

C. F. BROWN, A. D. HARRISON.

IIO 

